Display frame with inserts

ABSTRACT

A display frame according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a plurality of frame sections forming a rectangular perimeter around a backing member. Each of the plurality of frame sections includes a base member, a rotatable cover member hinged to the base member, a channel attached to the cover member, and a spring mechanism interposed between the base member and the cover member to bias the cover member in an open position and a closed position. In various embodiments, the display frame further includes an insert that is slidably received in one of the channels. In one embodiment, the insert at least partially forms the front face of one the frame sections and displays at least one of text and graphics. In another embodiment, the insert includes a mounting feature for mounting an object to the display frame.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/613645, filed on Mar. 21, 2012, and claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/625330, filed on Apr. 17, 2012. Theentire disclosures of each of the above applications are incorporatedherein by reference.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a spring-biased display frame, andmore particularly, to a display frame with inserts disposed in framesections forming the periphery of the display frame.

BACKGROUND

This section provides background information related to the presentdisclosure which is not necessarily prior art.

Known picture and poster frames include a plurality of frame sections,each frame section having a base member and a rotatable cover memberattached to each base member. Spring biasing mechanisms are used to biasthe cover member to the base member in its open and closed positions.Typically, each frame section is mitered at 45 degrees in the corner andarranged in a generally rectangular configuration. Such frames may bemade of an extruded metal such as aluminum or alternately of an extrudedplastic such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

Once assembled, such frames are configured to provide a single displayarea suitable for securely positioning and displaying a single displaymedium such as an advertisement. In this regard, each of the framesections is rotated into an open position and the display medium isinserted within the display frame. The frame sections are rotated into aclosed position such that the display medium is secured within theframe. Poster frames of this type work very well and have securedsubstantial success in the marketplace.

However, in some applications, it is desirable to provide a frame whichmay be readily adapted to display a plurality of display media. Forexample, a frame capable of mounting display media around its peripherywould be advantageous to provide added versatility to the frame overthose currently known in the art and added appeal to the mediumdisplayed therein.

SUMMARY

This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not acomprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

A display frame according to the principles of the present disclosureincludes a plurality of frame sections forming a rectangular perimeteraround a backing member. Each of the plurality of frame sectionsincludes a base member, a rotatable cover member hinged to the basemember, a channel attached to the cover member, and a spring mechanisminterposed between the base member and the cover member to bias thecover member in an open position and a closed position.

In various embodiments, the display frame further includes an insert oran insert assembly. The insert is slidably received in one of thechannels. In one embodiment, the insert at least partially forms thefront face of one the frame sections and displays at least one of textand graphics. In another embodiment, the insert includes a mountingfeature for mounting an object to the display frame. The insert assemblyincludes a standoff slidably received in one of the channels and acontainer defining a slot slidably engaging the standoff to mount thecontainer to the display frame.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the descriptionprovided herein. The description and specific examples in this summaryare intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended tolimit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only ofselected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are notintended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a display frame with cover members rotatedinto a closed position to secure a display medium;

FIG. 2 is a front view similar to FIG. 1 with the cover members rotatedinto an open position and the display medium removed;

FIG. 3 is front view of a portion of an alternate embodiment of adisplay frame with the cover members rotated into the closed position;

FIG. 4 is front view similar to FIG. 3 with the cover members rotatedinto the open position;

FIG. 5 is a section view taken along line 5-5 shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a section view taken along line 6-6 shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a section view similar to FIG. 5 with each cover memberunitarily formed with a channel extending along the length thereof;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a portion of the display frame with thecover members in the open position and an insert partially removed;

FIG. 9 is front view of a first alternative embodiment of an insert;

FIG. 10 is a front view of a second alternative embodiment of an insert;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a third alternative embodiment of aninsert;

FIG. 12 is a front view of the display frame of FIG. 1 with a fourthalternative embodiment of an insert in place of one of the inserts shownin FIG. 1;

FIG. 13A is a section view taken along line 13-13 of FIG. 12;

FIG. 13B is an enlarged view within circle 13B of FIG. 13A;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a fifth alternative embodiment of aninsert;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a portion of the display frame of FIG.1 with an insert assembly in place of one of the inserts shown in FIG.1;

FIG. 16 is perspective view similar to FIG. 15 with a containerdisassembled from standoffs and the standoffs rotated for removal; and

FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of one of the standoffs.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughoutthe several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference tothe accompanying drawings.

Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,”“lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease ofdescription to describe one element or feature's relationship to anotherelement(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatiallyrelative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations ofthe device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depictedin the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turnedover, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements orfeatures would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features.Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation ofabove and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptorsused herein interpreted accordingly.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the display frame 10 includes aplurality of frame sections 12. Specifically, frame 10 is rectangular inshape and has four frame sections 12 forming its periphery. In FIG. 1,the frame sections 12 surround a display medium 13 such as a picture,poster, and/or advertisement. The display medium 13 is supported by abacking member 14 that is shown in FIG. 2. In addition, an insert 15 iscaptured in each of the frame sections 12. Both the display medium 13and the inserts 15 may display graphics and/or text. For example, thedisplay medium 13 may be an advertisement, and the inserts 15 maydisplay information related to the advertisement (e.g., website address,logo colors, etc.).

Each of the frame sections 12 includes a base member 16 and a covermember 18 pivotally coupled to each other. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2,each frame section 12 may be cut to a desired length and mitered 45degrees at opposite ends for abutting and co-planar assembly with oneanother to comprise the outline of the frame 10. Alternatively, as shownin FIGS. 3 and 4, each frame section 12 may be squared at opposite ends,and a (e.g., rounded) corner section 19 may be disposed between andconnect adjacent frame sections 12.

As presently shown, frame 10 is configured in a square or rectangularshape, although it is also possible for the frame to have other variousshapes with one or more (e.g., five) frame sections 12 having oppositeends cut at appropriate angles. For example, frame sections 12 may bedisposed on three sides of frame 10 and a fourth side of frame 10 may beopen-ended to allow insertion of the display medium 13 without openingone of the cover members 18. In another example, frame section 12 may bedisposed on only one side of frame 10, in which case frame 10 may onlyconsist of one of the frame sections 12. Each of the base members 16 andcover members 18 may be fabricated utilizing a suitable material andprocess such as metal or plastic extruding processes. As presentlyshown, the backing member 14 includes a hollow-core board having a pairof planar surfaces interconnected with internal webs, although thebacking member 14 may be formed from other suitable materials.

Adjacent frame sections 12 of frame 10 may be held and fastened togetherby the corner sections 19, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, or by L-shapedcorner braces 20, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The corner braces 20, orextensions 19 a on the corner sections 19, are positioned in a channel21 formed in each of the base members 16 and secured in place byfasteners (not shown) such as screws or pop rivets.

The inserts 15 may be equal in length to the frame sections 12 and, asshown in FIGS. 1 and 2, may be mitered 45 degrees at opposite ends forabutting and co-planar assembly with one another. The engagement betweenthe ends of the inserts 15 prevents the inserts 15 from sliding alongthe lengths of the frame sections 12. Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 3and 4, the inserts 15 may be squared at opposite ends and the cornersections 19 may engage the opposite ends of the inserts 15. Moreover,the inserts 15 may not be equal in length to the frame sections 12, anda stop mechanism, if desired, may be used to prevent the inserts 15 fromsliding along the lengths of the frame sections 12.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, the cover member 18 of each framesection 12 is assembled to base member 16 by means of a hinge mechanism22 which includes a cylindrical hinge or pivot pin 24 extendingoutwardly from the base member 16 and a corresponding hinge channel 26formed on the cover member 18. The edges of hinge channel 26 extendslightly more than 180 degrees around the pivot pin 24 such that thehinge mechanism 22 may be slidably assembled in a longitudinal directionor snapped together. The hinge mechanism 22 allows the cover member 18to pivot relative to the base member 16. When in a closed position asshown in FIG. 5, the cover member 18 holds the display medium 13securely in position within the frame 10. When it is desired to removeor replace the display medium 13, the cover member 18 is rotated orpivoted to an open position as shown in FIG. 6, thereby permittingremoval of the display medium 13.

One or more spring members 30 are positioned in each of the framesections 12 extending between the base member 16 and the cover member18. The spring members 30 bias the two members 16, 18 relative to oneanother. The spring members 30 act to maintain a snug mating pivotalengagement, biasing the cover member 18 against the display medium 13when the frame sections 12 are in the closed position (as shown in FIG.5) and holding the cover members 18 in open upright position (as shownin FIG. 6) for removal or replacement of the display medium 13 and/orthe inserts 15. The spring members 30 may be made of a spring steel orstainless steel having a flat, square, or rectangular shape. The springmembers 30 are adapted to be flexed or bowed when the cover member 18 isrotated and provides the desired cantilever snap action for biasing theframe sections 12.

A channel 32 is attached to the front face of each of the cover members18, and the inserts 15 are captured in the channels 32. The inserts 15may be paper or plastic and may be thin strips with a rectangular crosssection as shown. The channels 32 may be metal or plastic and may have aC-shaped cross section as shown. The channels 32 include tabs 34 thatextend partially over the front faces of the inserts 15 to retain theinserts 15 in the frame sections 12. The channels 32 may be attached tothe cover members 18 using adhesive 36. Additionally or alternatively,the channels 32 may be attached to the cover members 18 using a weld, asolder, or a fastener. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 7, the channels 32 maybe unitarily formed with the cover members 18 using, for example, anextrusion process, and adhesive 36 may be eliminated.

Referring now to FIG. 8, the inserts 15 may be slid into or out of thechannels 32 when the cover members 18 are in the open position as shown.The inserts 15 are preferably formed from a substantially rigid material(e.g., plastic, metal, fiberboard, and the like) so that the inserts 15may only be inserted or removed by sliding the inserts through open ends38 of the channels 32 when the cover members 18 are in the openposition. Alternatively, the inserts 15 may be formed from asubstantially flexible material (e.g., paper) so that the inserts 15 maybe inserted or removed when the cover members 18 are in the closedposition, if desired, by flexing the inserts 15 and forcing them pastthe tabs 34 on the channels 32. When installed, the inserts 15 may begenerally flat. Alternatively, if the inserts 15 are formed from acurved material, the inserts 15 may bow outward from the channels 32.Adjusting only one of the cover members 18 to the open position allowsthe insertion or removal of one of the inserts 15.

Referring now to FIG. 9, a plurality of inserts 40 may be used in placeof one or more of the inserts 15. As depicted in FIG. 9, the inserts 40can display pricing symbols such as a dollar sign and numbers. However,the inserts 40 may display other text and/or graphics. The inserts 40may be provided as a kit (e.g., a pricing kit, a text kit), which mayinclude more or less of the inserts 40 relative to the number of theinserts 40 shown in FIG. 9. Depending on the display desired, only aportion of the inserts 40 provided in the kit may be used.

Referring now to FIG. 10, an insert 42 may be used in place of one ormore of the inserts 15. The insert 42 includes a base portion 44, a neckor stem 46, and a display portion 48. The base portion 44 may beinserted into one of the channels 32 as shown in FIG. 8 to retain theinsert 42 in the frame 10. The stem 46 extends between the base portion44 and the display portion 48. The insert 42 may be formed from arelatively stiff material (e.g., plastic, metal, etc.) to prevent thestem 46 from bending or flexing under the force of gravity when the baseportion 44 is inserted into one of the channels 32. FIG. 10 depicts theinsert 42 as a discount tag with the display portion 48 displayingdiscount information, although the insert 42 may display other textand/or graphics. When installed, the insert 42 may extend over or awayfrom the display medium 13 shown in FIG. 1.

Referring now to FIG. 11, an insert 50 may be used in place of one ormore of the inserts 15. The insert 50 includes a base portion 52, a neckor stem 54, and a display portion 56. The base portion 52 may beinserted into one of the channels 32 as shown in FIG. 8 to retain theinsert 50 in the frame 10. The stem 54 extends between the base portion52 and the display portion 56. The stem 54 may bow outward from the baseportion 52 to the display portion 56. The display portion 56 includes aplate 58 and a plurality of tabs 60 that extend outward from the plate58. The tabs 60 may be used to hold merchandise such as sunglasses, keyfobs, and the like. The insert 50 may be formed from a relatively stiffmaterial (e.g., metal, plastic, etc.) to ensure that the stem 54 doesnot bend or flex under the force of gravity when the base portion 52 isinserted into one of the channels 32 and the merchandise is installed inthe display portion 56. When installed, the insert 50 may extend over oraway from the display medium 13 shown in FIG. 1.

Referring now to FIG. 12, the frame 10 is illustrated with the inserts15 removed and an insert 62 installed in place of one of the inserts 15.The length of the insert 62 is less than the length of one of the framesections 12. With additional reference to FIGS. 13A and 13B, each of thetabs 34 on the channels 32 have edges 64 that are beveled or chamfered.When installed, the insert 62 bows outward from the channels 32 at anangle θ. The insert 62 may be formed to bow outward at the angle θ usinga relatively stiff material (e.g., metal, plastic, etc.). Thus,installing the insert 62 may require sliding the insert 62 into one ofthe channels 32 when the one of the cover member 18 attached to the oneof the channels 32 is in the open position. The angle of the bevel orchamfer in the edges 64 prevents the edges 64 from biting or cutting theinsert 62 as the insert 62 is slid into one of the channels 32. Thedisplay medium 13 may display a picture, and the insert 62 may displayinformation related to the picture (e.g., title, artist). In thisregard, the insert 62 may be suitable for use in an art gallery settingor the like.

Referring now to FIG. 14, an insert 66 may be used in place of one ormore of the inserts 15. The insert 66 includes flanges 68, supports 70,and a bridge 72 extending between and connecting the supports 70. Thesupports 70 can flex inwardly to enable installation and removal of theinsert 66 without adjusting one of the cover members 18 to the openposition. When the insert 66 is installed into the channels 32 asillustrated in FIG. 8, the tabs 34 on the channels 32 fit over theflanges 68 on the insert 66 to retain the insert 66 in the channels 32.Merchandise or display media may be mounted to the insert 66 using afastener that is inserted into an aperture 74 that extends through thebridge 72. The height of the supports 70 may be adjusted to provide adesired clearance for the portion of the fastener extending through theaperture 74 toward the channels 32. The insert 66 may be formed (e.g.,stamped) from a substantially rigid material (e.g., metal, plastic,etc.) that is suitable for mounting objects such as merchandise ordisplay media.

Referring now to FIGS. 15 through 17, an insert assembly 76 may be usedin place of one or more of the inserts 15. The insert assembly 76includes standoffs 78 and a container 80. The container 80 may holdmerchandise or display items such as flyers. The standoffs 78 and thecontainer 80 may be formed from metal and/or plastic. The tabs 34 on thechannels 32 retain the standoffs 78 in the frame 10. The standoffs 78engage slots 82 defined in the container 80 to secure the container 80to the frame 10.

As shown in FIG. 17, each of the standoffs 78 includes a base member 84,a screw 86, and a nut 88. The base member 84 includes a raised portion90 having a hole 92 extending therethrough. To assemble the standoffs78, the screw 86 is inserted through the hole 92 and the nut 88 isthreaded onto the screw 86. Corners 94 of the base member 84 are roundedto facilitate twisting or rotating the standoffs 78 to insert or removethe standoffs 78, and corners 96 are squared for engagement with thetabs 34 on the channels 32.

To install or remove the standoffs 78, the standoffs 78 may be slid intothe channels 32 when the cover members 18 are in the open position.Alternatively, the standoffs 78 may be installed or removed by rotatingthe standoffs 78 between the position shown in FIG. 16 and the positionshown in FIG. 15. When installing the standoffs 78 in this manner, thestandoffs 78 may be rotated in the direction that causes the corners 94to engage the channels 32 before the corners 96 engage the channels 32.The standoffs 78 may then be removed by rotating the standoffs 78 in theopposite direction. When the standoffs 78 are installed, inserts 98displaying text and/or graphics may be inserted into the channels 32 onopposite sides of the insert assembly 76.

As shown in FIG. 16, each of the slots 82 in the container 80 includes acircular portion 100 and an elongated portion 102. To install thecontainer 80, the circular potion 100 of the slot 82 is placed over thenut 88 or the head of the screw 86, and the container 80 is sliddownward to engage the elongated portion 102 of the slot 82 with theshank of the screw 86. In turn, the portion of the container 80surrounding the elongated portion 102 is captured between the basemember 84 and the nut 88 or the head of the screw 86. To remove thecontainer 80, the container 80 is slid upward until the circular portion100 of the slot 82 is aligned with the nut 88 or the head of the screw86. The container 80 may then be pulled apart from the standoffs 78 asshown in FIG. 16.

In the example embodiments described above, the frame 10 includes one ormore frame sections 12 with an insert captured in one or more of theframe sections 12. The insert captured in the frame sections 12 mayinclude the insert 15 (FIGS. 1-8), one or more of the inserts 40 (FIG.9), the insert 42 (FIG. 10), the insert 50 (FIG. 11), the insert 62(FIGS. 12, 13A, and 13B), and/or the insert 66 (FIG. 14). Alternativelyor additionally, the insert assembly 76 may be captured in one or moreof the frame sections 12 (FIGS. 15-17).

In various implementations, one or more of the frame sections 12 may notcapture an insert or an insert assembly. In other words, the frame 10may be provided without any inserts or insert assemblies, or the frame10 may be provided with an insert or an insert assembly captured in lessthan all of the frame sections 12. FIG. 12 shows an example of thelatter in which the insert 62 is captured in one of the frame sections12 while three of the frame sections 12 are not capturing an insert oran insert assembly. The frame sections 12 may be painted a color (e.g.,black) such that when an insert or an insert assembly is not captured inthe frame sections 12, it is difficult to identify features of the frame10 that capture an insert or an insert assembly.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided forpurposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or featuresof a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particularembodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be usedin a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described.The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to beregarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modificationsare intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display frame comprising: a plurality of frame sections forming a rectangular perimeter around a backing member to define a display area, each of the plurality of frame sections including a base member, a rotatable cover member hinged to the base member, a channel attached to the cover member, and a spring mechanism interposed between the base member and the cover member to bias the cover member in an open position and a closed position; and an insert slidably received in one of the channels, the insert at least partially forming the front face of one of the frame sections and displaying at least one of text and graphics.
 2. The display frame of claim 1, wherein the channel has a C-shaped cross section and includes tabs that extend partially over a front face of the insert.
 3. The display frame of claim 2, wherein the insert bows outward from the channel and the tabs have edges that are beveled.
 4. The display frame of claim 1, wherein the channel is attached to the cover member using at least one of adhesive, a weld, a solder, and a fastener.
 5. The display frame of claim 1, wherein the insert is formed from a substantially rigid material so that the insert is only insertable in the one of the channels when the cover member is in the open position.
 6. The display frame of claim 1, wherein the insert has a first length that is less than a second length of the one of the frame sections.
 7. The display frame of claim 6, wherein the insert includes a plurality of inserts that are slidably received in the one of the channels.
 8. The display frame of claim 1, wherein the insert includes a base portion insertable into the one of the channels, a display portion, and a stem extending between the base portion and the display portion.
 9. The display frame of claim 8, wherein the display portion includes a plate and a plurality of tabs that extend outward from the plate.
 10. A display frame comprising: a plurality of frame sections forming a rectangular perimeter around a backing member to define a display area, each of the plurality of frame sections including a base member, a rotatable cover member hinged to the base member, a channel attached to the cover member, and a spring mechanism interposed between the base member and the cover member to bias the cover member in an open position and a closed position; and an insert slidably received in one of the channels, the insert including a mounting feature for mounting an object to the display frame.
 11. The display frame of claim 10, wherein the channel includes tabs that extend partially over a front face of the insert.
 12. The display frame of claim 11, wherein the insert includes flanges, supports extending outward from the flanges, and a bridge extending between and connecting the supports, the tabs of the channel extending over the flanges to retain the insert in the channel.
 13. The display frame of claim 12, wherein the bridge defines an aperture for receiving a fastener to mount the object to the display frame.
 14. The display frame of claim 10, wherein the insert includes a base portion insertable into the one of the channels, a display portion, and a stem extending between the base portion and the display portion.
 15. The display frame of claim 14, wherein the display portion includes a plate and a plurality of tabs that extend outward from the plate.
 16. The display frame of claim 10, further comprising the object, wherein the insert includes a standoff and the object defines a slot configured to slidably engage the standoff to mount the object to the display frame.
 17. A display frame comprising: a plurality of frame sections forming a rectangular perimeter around a backing member to define a display area, each of the plurality of frame sections including a base member; a rotatable cover member hinged to the base member with a channel attached to the cover member; and a spring mechanism interposed between the base member and the cover member to bias the cover member in an open position and a closed position.
 18. The display frame of claim 17, further comprising an insert slidably received in the channel.
 19. The display frame of claim 17, wherein the channel has a C-shaped cross section.
 20. The display frame of claim 17, wherein the channel is attached to the cover member using at least one of adhesive, a weld, a solder, and a fastener. 